Dryer Won't Stop

The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Dryer won't stop are ordered from most likely to least likely to occur. Check or test each item, starting with the items at the top of the page.

Most Frequent Causes for Dryer won't stop

If the vent is clogged or partially clogged, it will restrict the airflow through the dryer, substantially increasing the drying time. To ensure proper dryer performance, you should clean your dryer’s venting system at least once per year.

Cause 2Blower Wheel

The blower wheel draws air through the dryer and pushes the air out the vent. Clumps of lint, socks, and small articles of clothing can escape the lint filter and get caught in the blower wheel. In addition, the blower wheel sleeve can wear out, allowing the blower wheel to wobble on the motor shaft. If the blower wheel is obstructed or defective, it may take too long to dry clothes. To determine if the blower wheel is working properly, remove the dryer vent and assess the strength of the air flow. If the air flow is weak, check the blower wheel for obstructions. If no obstructions are present, try rotating the blower wheel by hand. If the blower wheel wobbles as it turns, replace it.

Parts

Blower Wheel

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Cause 3Gas Valve Solenoid

Gas dryers have two or more gas valve solenoid coils. The gas valve solenoids open the gas valve ports to allow gas to flow into the burner assembly. If a solenoid fails, the burner may run intermittently. If the burner keeps shutting off, the dryer won’t heat properly and may not stop. To determine if one or more of the gas valve solenoids has failed, check the igniter. If the igniter glows and goes out but does not ignite the gas, the gas valve solenoid is defective. If one or more of the gas valve coils are defective, we recommend that you replace them as a set.

Parts

Gas Valve Solenoid

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Cause 4Heating Element

The heating element warms the air before the air enters the dryer drum. Over time, the heating element can burn out. If the heating element isn’t working, the clothes will take substantially longer to dry. To determine if the heating element has burned out, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the heating element does not have continuity, replace it.

Parts

Heating Element

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Cause 5Heating Element Assembly

The heating element warms the air before the air enters the dryer drum. If the heating element assembly isn’t working, the drying time will be substantially increased. To determine if the heating element has burned out, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the heating element does not have continuity, replace it.

Parts

Heating Element Assembly

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Cause 7Moisture Sensor

The moisture sensor monitors the clothing’s moisture level and sends a signal to the control board when the clothes are dry. If the moisture sensor is malfunctioning, it could inaccurately report that the clothing is still moist, causing the dryer to keep running even though the clothes are dry. However, this is rarely the case. Before replacing the moisture sensor check all the more commonly defective parts. If you have determined that all of the other components are working properly, replace the moisture sensor.

Parts

Moisture Sensor

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Cause 8Cycling Thermostat

The cycling thermostat cycles the heat on and off to regulate the air temperature. If the cycling thermostat is defective, the dryer will not heat. However, this is rarely the case. Before replacing the cycling thermostat check all the more commonly defective parts. If you have determined that all of the other components are working properly, test the thermostat by using a multimeter to test for continuity. If the thermostat does not have continuity, replace it.

Parts

Cycling Thermostat

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Cause 9High Limit Thermostat

The high-limit thermostat monitors the dryer temperature and shuts off the burner if the dryer overheats. If the high-limit thermostat is malfunctioning, it may shut off the burner even if the dryer is not overheating. However, this is rarely the case. Before replacing the high limit thermostat check all the more commonly defective parts. If you have determined that all of the other components are working properly, test the thermostat by using a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the thermostat does not have continuity, replace it..

Parts

High Limit Thermostat

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Cause 10Thermistor

If the dryer won’t stop, the thermistor might be defective. Some dryers have a thermistor. The control board uses the thermistor to monitor the dryer temperature and cycle the heat on and off. If the thermistor is defective, it may turn off the heat too early, considerably lengthening the drying time. However, this is rarely the case.

Parts

Thermistor

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Cause 11Timer

Mechanical timers have a motor on them like a clock that rotates the timer down to the off position on the control panel. If the motor goes bad on the timer it will not move when set to a timed dry cycle and the dryer won’t stop.

Parts

Timer

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